Picking the Right CB Equipment

(Video Transcription)

Welcome to the Right Channel video guide to picking the right CB equipment. We'll cover a number of topics, including how to pick a CB radio, understanding and selecting antennas, and mounting considerations.

Picking a CB Radio

It's important to understand that all CB radios are limited to 4 watts of output power. And because all CB radios have the same output, spending more on a radio won't provide an edge in terms of power or transmission range. A radio's features are what set it apart and are the primary differentiator when considering which radio is right for you. When it comes to range, it's the antenna that determines how far you can transmit and receive.

CB radios have numerous available features. Some of the most popular are weather channels for real-time weather updates, backlit displays for easy night use, public address mode for use with a PA horn, and noise-reduction filters for improved clarity.

So, how do you decide which radio is right for you? As the output power is the same for all models, you should focus on which features are most important for your needs. If you drive frequently at night, you'll want to consider a radio with a backlit display. If you travel often in the winter, a radio with weather channels will likely prove useful. You'll also want to consider the radio's size. If you have a large truck or semi, you likely have ample room to mount a full-sized CB radio. However, if you'll be installing the radio in a Jeep with less cab room, a small compact unit will be a much better choice.

Picking a CB Antenna

A disclaimer before we begin discussing antennas: there is no “perfect” universal CB antenna. Each vehicle and individual's needs are unique, and the best antenna will depend on how it will be used and installed, and on the needs of the owner. There are three main types of CB antennas: base-loaded antennas, center-loaded antennas and fiberglass antennas.

Base-loaded antennas, or all-in-one antennas, are the easiest type of antennas to install. They include the mount, coax and antenna all in a single unit. These antennas usually use a magnetic base or a trunk-lip mount, which you can install quickly and easily without drilling any holes. While they can be used on just about all vehicles, they're especially convenient on passenger vehicles (cars, vans, pick-up trucks).

Fiberglass CB antennas are the most versatile type of antenna. They are compatible with a large number of unique mounts, which allow for mounting just about anywhere on any type of vehicle! Fiberglass antennas provide great mounting flexibility, but are less convenient to purchase and install as the coax cable, and the mount must be purchased separately.

Center-loaded antennas, often referred to as trucker antennas, are primarily used with large trucks and commercial vehicles. They are similar to fiberglass antennas in that they offer the same mounting flexibility, but they differ in construction. Center-loaded antennas have a thick metal shaft at the base, a plastic center coil in the middle of the antenna, and a long metal whip on the top. Compared to fiberglass antennas, they generally offer better transmit/receive performance and are rated for higher output power for HAM and modified CB radios. Their construction makes them more fragile and prone to being damaged than fiberglass antennas and are best suited for on-road use. Just like fiberglass antennas, the coax and mount are also sold separately.

No-ground plane (NGP) antennas are a uniquely built CB antenna that MUST be used if you have a vehicle without a metallic chassis. CB antennas rely on the metallic portion of a vehicle, or ground plane, to perform properly. Vehicles that don't have this metallic ground plane, such as RVs, boats and motor homes, require a no-ground antenna to ensure proper performance. No-ground antennas and coax cables are designed differently than standard CB equipment and are not compatible with other CB components. As such, no-ground antennas are usually offered in all-in-one kits.

Which One to Choose? 

So, which type of antenna is right for you? That really depends on your specific needs. To offer some guidance, we've listed a few of the advantages of different antennas below:

Reasons to select a base-loaded antenna:

• You want something easy to install

• You don't want to drill holes

• You're on a tight budget

Reason to select a fiberglass antenna:

• You need maximum mounting flexibility

• You need a sturdier antenna that can hold up to abuse

• You want a customized application

Reasons to select a center-loaded trucker antenna:

• You need a quality antenna for professional, highway driving

• You need an antenna rated for high wattage

Reasons to select a no-ground antenna:

• You'll be installing on a RV, motor home, or boat

Mounting Location Considerations 

Keeping a few guidelines and rules-of-thumb in mind will help you get the most out of your CB antenna. 

As a general rule, longer antennas work better than shorter antennas. Choosing the longest antenna you can comfortably use on your vehicle will result in better performance. Along the same lines, the higher you're able to mount it, the better. Higher antennas increase a radio's transmit and receive performance, so try to mount the antenna as high as conveniently possible.

Having a long antenna can be inconvenient, as they often get caught on things and prevent you from driving in low-clearance areas like parking garages. Two accessories allow you to make use of longer antennas without giving up all the conveniences of a low-profile antenna: springs and disconnects. Antenna springs are installed between the mount and antenna, and provide flexibility if your antenna gets snagged on an obstacle. Quick disconnects are installed in a similar fashion and allow you to completely remove the antenna – quickly, and without tools – when you need to enter a low-clearance area. Both are great tools to help you utilize longer antennas without all the associated headache.

Finally, it's critical that your antenna is well-grounded to the vehicle's chassis, as this is essential for proper performance. If the antenna and/or mount aren't grounded well, it will result in high SWR and transmit/receive problems. When choosing a mounting location, make sure it's a spot that is grounded to the vehicle's chassis or can be grounded with a very short ground jumper (6” or less).

Antenna Brands

A common question we receive is "which antenna brand should I choose?” There are a number of quality manufactures, but three we feel very comfortable recommending are Wilson, K40 and Firestik. All are well-respected manufacturers, and you can feel confident that anything from them will be a quality antenna. This is by no means an exclusive list – there are many other great brands – but if you stick with these three you can't go wrong. Among these three brands, we recommend choosing the antenna that best fits your needs and budget.

Antenna Pricing 

As is true with all things in life, you get what you pay for! If you scrimp on an antenna, you'll most likely end up with something that provides inferior transmit/receive performance and won't last more than a few years. Investing in a quality antenna will ensure that you'll be able to get better range, and your investment will last longer. 

As a general rule, we encourage our customers to spend less on their radio and more on their antenna. As we've discussed, it's the antenna that determines your effective range – not your CB radio – so we recommend spending any extra dollars on stepping up the antenna quality.

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